It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where Torie Owers’ strength lies, because she has excelled in so many areas.  Perhaps her coaches, Richard Patterson and Mike Judge, explain it best when they say things like, “Her dedication is amazing, she has a great competitive nature, she takes all honors classes … she’s president of the student body, is a member of the Homecoming court, plays cello … Torie is very positive, has an emotional competitive edge and her fellow students love her.”

Torie started shot putting in middle school, plus she was a runner and played volleyball and basketball.  In her freshman year, her potential as a shot putter really became clear when she qualified for the state tournament, broke the school record and was just three inches short of the state record that year as well.  At that point, her school’s coaches were thrilled that she began working with personal trainer/coach Judge.

Today, colleges have taken note of Torie’s successes, both on and off the track and field venue.  She has already chosen University of California-Berkeley so she can work with the coach there.  At Cal-Berkeley, she will no doubt add more trophies to her collection, which already includes the Georgia High School Single A State Championship.  Torie has even qualified for the professional nationals and, as we go to press with this issue of Athens MOVE, she is competing in the USA Open Championships and preparing for this summer’s Outdoor High School Nationals and Junior Nationals.  She also has her sights set on the Olympics.

As Coach Judge tells his athletes, “If you work hard, work smart or do both, you will be more successful.”  We have confidence that Torie’s success will reach new heights, and Athens will be watching and cheering her all the way.

Marjie
Foster

about author

Marjie Foster, editorial director for Global MOVE Media, has a career in publishing, editing, writing and brand management that spans more than 30 years. For 10 of those years, she was also managing partner in a company that recruited, trained and scheduled baseball, basketball and softball officials. Marjie was a collegiate tennis player and is a 15-year veteran of a champion recreation softball team. Her two sons played five sports (each) through high school as well as baseball and football in college. She has been involved with them in their interscholastic and recreational sports careers as a coach, spectator, parent, official, timekeeper and cookie baker for more than 20 years.